Potato-digger



(No Model.)

W. D. ROBINSON.

' POTATO BIGGER.

No. 325,631. V atented Sept. 1, 1885.

UNITED STATES PATENT @rricn.

WILLIAM D. ROBINSON, OF RATHBONEVILLE, NEW YORK.

POTATO- BIGGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 325,631, dated September 1, 1885.

Application filed February 20, 1884. (So model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM D. Ronrnson, of Rathboneville, Steuben county, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Potato-Diggers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the class of potato- (liggers shown and described in my United States Patent No. 245,868, of August 16, 1881; and it consists in certain improved organizations whereby the operation of the machine is made more easy and efficient.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of my improved machine; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3, a view of one of the springdevers; Fig. 4, a view of the bent axle and connections; Fig. 5, a view of one of the drag-chains.

To the under side of the beam A is Secured the standard B, to which is attached the digging blade or shovel O. Drag-chains L are attached to the rear edge of the shovel in substantially the same manner and for the same purpose as that set forth in my patent above referred to.

The improved chain which I employ is illustrated in Fig. 5. It is composed of a number of links, the first one in the series being provided with a swivel, 2, that is hinged to one side of the chain-link and to the shovel. The opposite side of said link is open, and is provided with outwardly-projecting lugs, s, between whieh the next link is hinged, being preferably provided with a flattened lug, p, for this purpose. The second link is arranged at right angles to the first link. It is open at :r, is provided with outwardly-projecting lugs 8, like the first link, and is attached to the third link in the same manner. This arrangement is repeated throughout the chain to the last link, which is not open. By this arrange ment the chain hasa sufficient amount of flexibility, and is notso liable as the common chain to twist and kink. I preferably attach six of these chains, each having three or more links, to the shovel. C.

To the under side of the beam, in advance of the standard B, is secured a casting, D, having rearwardly-inclined arms a, to which the handles E are secured, and downwardly-projecting lugs a, to form bearings for the axle.

The bent axle G, on which the wheels H are mounted, is journaled in bearings located on one side of a vertical line drawn through the axis of the wheels, so that ordinarily the axle will. be inclined,and thejournals of the wheels will rarely, if ever, be directly under thejournals of the axle. This arrangement is of pa culiar valuein connection with the spring-connections, as will appear further on. As shown in the drawings, the axle is preferably provided with laterally-projecting arms G,l1aving stud-journals c, that are journaled in the downwardly-projecting lugs (4, located 011 each side of the casting D. A spring, I, is interposed between the axle and the main frame, so as to limit the play of the axle and give it a yielding, flexible movement relatively to the digger. By thus locating the bearings of the cranked axle out of or to one side of the plane of the axle, an increased leverage is obtained in adjusting the axle relatively to the frame by means of the spring-connection, as hereinafter described. Any suitable springconncction may be employed for this purpose; but I preferably employ the following organization The spring I (illustrated in Fig. 3) is made of wire coiled at each end and looped in the middle to form an arm, I employ two of these springs--one on eachside of the beam A. The ends f f are firmly secured to the axle, and the arms 9 extend up above the beam, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The upper ends of the arms 5/ are connected to a chain, K, by branches h. The chain K extends to the rear end of the machine over an arched or looped bar, I), both ends of which are mounted on the beam A, and may be locked in a notch, '13, formed in a lug on the upper side of the bar. The handlesE are secured to the areh-bar, as indicated in the drawings. By adjusting the chain in the slot the bent axle may be turned by means of the links h and spring I to raise or lower the digger or shovel. The springs I afford a yielding, cushion-like connection be tween the axle and the main frame, and the shovel may rise and fall to accommodate inequalities in the soil. The digger, therefore, has a yielding vibratory motion in operation, and readily adapts itself to varying conditions of the soil.

I am aware that adjustable bent axles have been employed in potato-diggers previous to myinvention. I am also aware that springs have been used in connection with bent axles to return them to their normal position.

I claim as my inventi0n- 1. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the main frame, the wheels, the bent axle provided with bearings located to one side of the general plane of the bent axle, spring adjusting devices connected directly with the axle, and an adjustable connection between said spring devices and the main frame.

2. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the main frame, the digging devices, the bent axle, its bearings in the frame, the spring or springs connected with the axle and formed with the upwardly-projecting arms g, the adjustingchain, and means for securing the chain in any adjusted position.

3. The combination of the main frame, the digging devices carried thereby, the bent axle, the wheels, the journal of the bent axle located above or to one side of the plane of the axle, the bearings in the frame located in advance of the wheels, and digging devices, as shown, and the adjustable spring-connection between the axle and the main frame.

4. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the main frame, the shovel, the wheels, the bent axle journaled in the main frame to one side of a vertical line drawn through the axis of the wheels, and an elastic connection between the axle and the main frame.

5. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the main frame, the wheels, the bent axle journaled in the main frame, the springs secured to the axle, and an adjustable connection between the springs and the main frame.

6. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the main frame, the wheels, the bent axle journaled in the main frame, the springs secured to the axle, the springlever-arms, and an adjustable connection between the levcrarms and the main frame.

7. The herein described casting having downwardly'projecting lugs to form bearings for the axle, and the inclined handle-supporting arms.

8. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the mainframe, the axle, the handles, and the casting having downwardly-projecting lugs, in which the axle isjonrnaled, and the upwardly-inclined arms,to which the handles are secured.

9. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the digging blade or shovel and the drag-chains hinged thereto, each chain consisting of a link hinged to the shovel, a second link hinged between lugs in the preceding link,and succeeding links hinged in like manner to their preceding links, for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

XV. D. ROBINSON.

Witnesses:

H. F. Oseoon, P. A. OosrIcH. 

